What is K.A.NE.

KANE in Greek language means do or make!

We do national and international youth work. We aim to offer opportunities of personal and social development to local youth through socio-educational activities and non formal education. Our main target is to create independent youth structures as well as to achieve the recognition of youth work in Greece.

Social Youth Development, KANE, is a non-profit organization situated in Kalamata, Greece. Our main target group is young people aged 15-30, youth workers, youth leaders, mentors and trainers. However we are also working with all the local community.

Our vision is to foster youth motivation in order to take initiatives and become more active citizens. Our mission is to provide educational and training opportunities for youth and people that work in the youth field. We also aim at fighting discrimination, fostering intercultural and social development, and promoting social inclusion and equality, particularly for young people. At organizational level, we promote cooperation among local, regional and international organizations and public bodies.

The specific goals of our organization are divided into 3 categories:1.Youth-Support youth in the local community (Personal and social development, effective integration into the economic and social community)-Create Youth Structures (youth centres, community centres, festivals, other)-Promote non-formal learning in the youth field-Promote active citizenship at local and European level, encourage intercultural cooperation and the fight against discrimination-Recognition of the profession of youth worker in Greece

2.Local community-Promote the idea of volunteerism-Promote social inclusion and equal opportunities in education-Create a network of local organizations or groups specialized in social work- Take action in order to promote innovation and culture in Messinia region

3.Organizational-Capacity building and ongoing staff training-Achieving operational sustainability-Continuous improvement of quality assurance and enhancement programs nationwide and European-Continuous development of new partnerships and creation of a European network

Following the principles of "Education for Sustainable Development", the organisation's activities focus on the implementation of European programs for youth, seminars and the organization of educational, cultural and environmental activities, international training courses, conferences, mobility projects, voluntary projects and professional and personal support for youth and adults. Through its activities, the organization has established stable and successful partnerships with organizations and public bodies both locally and internationally.

Since its establishment in April 2008, KANE has managed to create 2 successful youth structures:-the Youth Centre of Kalamata, which, already has the capacity to offer 54 workshops to 850 youth out of the 2700 members and involve in its activities more than 4000 local youth. Its main achievements are the integration of immigrants and local marginalized youth to its activities.- the Street Festival of Kalamata, which aims to offer opportunities to youth to express themselves through street art in order to foster social inclusion and respect in diversity. The Kalamata Street Festival has become international and hosts over 10.000 visitors and artists in its 3 days.

Who is K.A.NE.?

WHO IS K.A.NE?

The staff of our organization includes 2 full-time people, with long term experience in youth work, a part-time teacher, teaching Greek to our foreign volunteers and a highly experienced external collaborator, as well as a team of volunteers, all offering their knowledge and skills for the improvement of the services that K.A.NE. provides to young people and not only.

We are always open to new members who share the same motivation and they would like to dedicate some of their time to share their ideas and needs by taking part in our projects.

Partners:

We have partners all around Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Europe and Middle East. Our network in extended and includes organizations working on different fields in local and international level.Our partnerships are always based on common projects, the exchange of good practices, the exchange of experiences and on friendship. We consider very important the personal contact and cooperation spirit between partners for achieving the common goal.People at K.A.NE.

Filaretos Vourkos - Founder/ Director

My name is Filaretos Vourkos and the last 10 years I have been working in the youth field. Although I studied Power Technology Engineering, a series of random coincidents were combined with my dream to contribute to a meaningful cause, and brought me to the youth work! Yes, life sometimes is hiding the most pleasant surprises for you! So here I am, making my dream real and creating a youth organization, KANE, the Youth Centre of Kalamata and the Kalamata Street Festival.

However, this is not my main job. Additionally, I am working as a freelance trainer in non formal education seminars and consultant. Sometimes you can find me in the office, stuck in front of a computer, dealing with emails or bureaucratic issues, and other times running around organising an event.

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Fotini Arapi - Project manager

Hi everybody! My name is Fotini Arapi and I am working for K.A.NE. since 2011. My studies in the department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental studies as well as my MSc in Violence, Conflict and Development helped me become open to challenges and be able to adapt in different environments. My journey in the magical world of Youth Work started in November 2006, when I decided to pack my bags, leave back my old ”city” life and go to the far far away village of Agios Germanos in Prespes, an enchanting region in the North of Greece on the borders with Albania and FYROM. My decision was not easy; I was always a “city-girl”. However, my love for the Balkans combined with my strong headiness and my willingness to try new things won. There, I learned what it means to be a youth worker and how fulfilling it can be. In the years I was there, I got to watch my “young people” grow, become more independent, more open-minded and, more importantly, open to new adventures. In July 2011, I decided to come back to Kalamata and start working for K.A.NE. My decision was easy, as I knew the city well (I finished high school here) and I was already familiar with K.A.NE., the work that was done by it and, of course, the Youth Centre. I am happy to be able to support its work and be part of K.A.NE.’s team. Although there is a lot of bureaucracy and administrative things to be done, there are also a lot fun things to do, such as organizing the Street Festival, trainings and youth exchanges! Besides, who said I am afraid of hard work?See you around

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Jelena Scepanovic - EVS coordinator/ Financial manager

Hi, I’m Jelena Scepanovic, an EVS coordinator in KANE and the volunteer of the Youth center. I came from Montenegro 2012 as an EVS volunteer. I really liked the idea of the Youth center and the work that KANE does, so I decided to stay and be part of it.

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Nantiana Koutiva - Greek teacher for EVS volunteers

My name is Nantiana! I'm 23 years old. I live in Kalamata! I was living for 5 years in Patras! I was studying there greek philology and now i'm teaching greek to the youth center and to the EVS volunteers in Kalamata.